Tobacco stemming machine



March 15, 1932. R. L. wElsNER TOBACCO STEMMING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed July 7'. 1930 of mm 1 March 15, 1932. R. L.. wElsNER v TOBACCO STEMMING yMCI'IINE Filed July '7y 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet March 15, 1932. R, L. wElsNER v l1,849,776

TOBAGO() STEMMING MACHINE Filed July 7, 1930 4 Sl'xeets--Sheetl 5 March 15, 1932. R. wElsNER 1,849,776

TOBACCO STEMMI NG MACHINE Filed July '7, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES CIGARETTE MACHINE GINIA Appuca'non mea my 7, 1930. serial No. 466,234.

My invention relates to tobacco stemming machines and more particularly to'that type of steinmin machine disclosedinmy application, Serial l o. 376,915, filed July 9, 1929. A principal object of the invention is to'provide a tobacco stemming machine of the type having an endless belt with means for subjecting each leaf to a plurality of successive stripping operations to Vmore quickly and eiiiciently strip theV lamina of the leaf from its stem. t Y

Another object of the invention is'to pro'- vide means for Cutting the stem ofthe leaf adjacent its tip end so that this portion'of the stem which is suitable for use will not be discarded with the remainder of the stem.`

A primary feature of the invention consists in providing the stemming machine with an endless belt having a set of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from `its stem,the devices being successively operable sog that each strips only a portion of the lamina. Y

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the stemming machine with an .endless belt having a plurality of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, each of said devices having a portionmovable into and out of cooperation with the 'leaf whereby said devices are adapted to strip successiveV portions of the lamina from the stem.

' A further .feature ofthe invention consists in mounting a plurality of sets of the stripping devices on the endless belt so that when one set of the devices has nished its stripping operationon a leaf or a plurality of leaves the next set of devices is brought into operative association with another lea-f or group ofv leaves. l A Y Y i A A still further feature of the invention consists in providing a pair of endless belts arranged in superposedl relation, each of lsaid belts being provided with a set of devices adapted to cooperate with the Vcorresponding devices of the set on the other belt, the devices of each set being arranged in tandem and being successively operable to strip portions of the lamina from the'stem.

. A still further feature ofthe invention consists in providing one of the stripping devices PATENT oFFi-CE ROBERT L. WEISNER, OF DURHAM, `NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE-HALF T0 THE AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01E' NEW JERSEY, AND 0NEHALF TO COMAS COMPANY, OF SALEM, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION 0F VIR= 'roisncco sTEivLMiive MACHINE with meansfor cuttingthe stem of the leaf adjacent its tip end. l

Other and more specific features of the. invention residing in advantageous forms, coinbinations and relations of parts Vwill hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.V

In the drawings illustrating apreferred embodiment of the invention: Y.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the superposed endless belts with their cooperating sets of devices, parts of the mechanism of the upper belt being broken away.

Figure 2'is fa detailed sectional View taken on line 2 2, Figure ll.V Figure 3 is a sectional `view taken on line 3 3, Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed sectional views taken' on lines a-et, 5:15, Figure 3, respectively. f l Figure' is a side elevational view of the stripping devices provided with the cutting means. i y

Figure 7 is a plan view of the device illus- .trated in Figure';

Figure 8 is an end viewof this device in operative position.

Figure 9 is a similar view of the device inoperative position. .Y i

`Figure' 10 is an enlarged sectional viewtaken on line 10-10, Figure 6.

. Y. Y.90: of one ofthe) V members for operating one ofthe strippers.- j

VVli`i'gures 16, 17 and18.are diagrammatic, f

views illustrating different vstripping posi-1 tions of aportion 0f the mechanism. In the stemming mach'ne'illustrated in my application heretofore referred toA there is i shown two stripping devices each 4comprisv ing a pair of superposed endless belts.Y One of these strippin'g'devices is adapt-ed toi stripV Y n .I y eo` elevational view of stripping operation.

' the laminavfrom adjacent the butt end of the leaf while the other stripping device is adapted to strip the remainder of the lamina. T he present invention relates to improvements in the second or main Stripping device illustrated in that application. As the description of the present invention proceeds it will be appreciated however that it is not limited in its application to a machine of the exact type illustrated in my pending application heretofore 'referred to and'that instead of being em-V ployed in conjunction with means for stripping the lamina adjacent the butt ofthe leaf it may in itself be used to perform the entire In general the present invention comprises two endless belts upon leach `of which is mounted a plurality of sets of stripping de'-r vices, the sets beingr arranged so that'the devices of each set on onebelt respectively coi operate with the corresponding devices of from one or a group of leaves,each device of each set only strips a portion of the lamina from the leaf. vBy subjecting each leaf or each group of leavesto a plurality of'successive stripping voperations the leaf or leaves are more Vefficiently and more quickly stripped asthe lamina islprevented from packing or bunching in front of the stripperswhereby the latter would be rendered `more or-less inoperative or would result in l the stemY ofthe leaf being broken and inadvertently carried away/"with theV lamina;

Since the portion fof the stem adjacent the if tip end of the leaf is-comparatively, small and is therefore' suitable for use and need not be discarded as must the other part ofthe stem the stripping ,device of each set on one offthe belts last to operateon the leaf is pro-'- vided with mechanism for severing'or cutting thefstem adjacent the tip end of the leaf.

Referring more particularly to the'drawings 1 and-Qirepresent the upper and'lower endlessbelts which are arranged in. superposed relationf'V Each of rthe belts mayfadvanta'geously be formed of a pair kof sprocket chains 8 preferably connectedby a plurality offflat bars orstrips 4. The sprocket chains of each belt cooperate with and are supported by pairso'f sprocket wheels 5 and 6, the wheels beingmounted upon ra shaft 7 and the I wheelsbeing mounted upon ashaft 8,. Mo! tion maybe imparted to the belts by driving operation.'

either shaft of both belts by any suitable means (not shown).

Mounted upon the outer side of each of the endless belts is a plurality of sets of .stripping devices, the devices of one setbeing designated by A1, A2 and A, the devices of another set being designated by B1, B2 and B3 while the devices of the other set are desigi nated by C1, C2 and-C3.' As may be clearly seen from the drawings the devices of each set are arranged in tandem and the sets of the devices are so spaced that as soon as 'one set 'f has completed its stripping operation the other lset is in position to begin its stripping Each device of each set comprises a base plate 9 which is rigidly securedto an adjaa cent strip or bar 1 of the associated belt, by means of rivets 10 4and a member llfpivotally connected to the base plate 9 by pins 12 which extend throughlugs 13 proj ecting upwardly from the base plate and preferablyv formeel integrally therewith. Thepivoted member 11 is formed with a plate portion .111 having a serrated edge forming a plurality of teeth 15, the plate being preferably de-w tachably mounted by screws 16 so that it may Y be readily renewed or replaced should it become unfit for use.

shaped bracket or lug 17 adapted to-cooperate with mechanism for actuatingthe plvv oted member 11yto cause the latter tol assume` an operative position yand to permit-lit to assume an Ainoperative one. c AThefstrips or! bars 4 of the endless chain at the rear of each stripping device and .the strips or' bars I to `which thel base plates 9 of the stripping devices are secured as well as .thefbase plates themselves are suitably recessed or `aper-v r Depending fromy eachk stripping device and rigidly secured to the j pivoted member Y11 thereof is an angularlyA tured to permit of free movement of vthe brackets or lugs 17 of the strippingdevices.;

The Vmechanism for actuating the stripping devices comprises atplurality of bars respectively designated 1S, 19 and 20 which eX- tend longitudinally of the belt andare arranged Y in spaced. relation :transversely thereof. As may be most clearly seen from Figure 3 the bar 18 extends fromadjacent.

the inner or intake ,endof the belt for a relatively short distance, Y bar 19 extends from intermediate the ends of vbar 18 to a pointbeyond ,the outer-end of the latter While'bar 20 extends from a p oint intermediate the ends o'f bar 19 and vterminates adjacent the outer or outlet end of the belt.` The bracketsflrr' of'r` the stripping device Vof each set arev arranged in staggered relation with respect to' 'each other so thatthe bracket 17 of the first strip-5 ping device of each set cooperates 4with* barfl 18 while-thebracket of the second-:stripping device cooperates with bar19 andthe bracket' of the third strippingdevice cooperates with bar20. 'j f' c The actuating bars may be supported in any convenient manner between the upper and lower sections of the associatedbelt as by a member 21 which may be suitably journaled upon the sprocket shafts 7 and 8 of the belt. As it is sometimes necessary tovary the distance between the sprocket shafts of the belt to take up slack 'which may occur therein the member 21 is provided at one end with bifurcated portions 22 between which is slidably mounted a split bushing 23 having portions 24 overlapping the adjacent sides of the bifurcated portions. To prevent the bushing and consequently the adjacent 4 end of member 21 from moving llongitudinv nally on the shaft 7, the latter may advantageously be integrally formed with circumg ferential lugs 25 between which `the bushing is disposed. A set screw 26 may be conveniently employed for preventing relative movement between the member 21 and the bushing 24;. At its opposite end .the member 21 is formed with an aperture into which a bushing 27 of suitable wearv resisting metal may be driven. The shaft 8 which extends through the bushing 27 is preferably previded with two sleeves 28 to prevent the adjacent end of the member 21 from shifting longitudinally of the sprocket shaft.

The actuating bar 19 is of channel shape f and is designed to straddle the member 21 to which it is secured by bolts 29 which pass through its legs 30. Extending upwardly7 from the web 31 of the member 19 is a portion 32 of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the anti-friction rollers 83 with which all of the brackets 17 of the stripping devices are preferably provided. Disposed on one side of the bar 19 is the member 18 and it is secured to the latter and to the member 21 by two of the bolts 29 heretoforereferred to. On the opposite side of the bar l19 is the actuating bar 2O which is secured at one end to the bar 19 and member 21 by another of the bolts 29 andat the other end by bolts 34 to the member 21. Y

In the operation of the machine the tobacco leaves may be fed to the stemming mechanism by any suitable means such as endless chains 35 as fully illustrated and described inV my pending application, Serial No. 376,915 to which reference has heretofore VVbeenfmade. The tobacco leaves are gripped firmly between the endless chains so that they cannot move in the direction of travel` of the stripping devices but the mechanism is so arf ranged that the chains feed the leaves continuously rather than intermittently. Referring to Figure 1 it will be seen that oneset of the stripping devices has practically completed its stripping operation while another set is just beginning its operation. In this Figure it will be seen that YtheV stripping devices C1 and C2 have moved into inoperative positions since `they vhave passed beyond their f respective actuating bars 18 and 19 while the device designated C3 is still in operative position as the roller 33with which the pivoted member 11 is provided is in engagement `with its actuating bar. The stripping-device A1 of the next set of strippers has already been moved ,into operative position by its roller` engaging the bar 18 while the devices A2 and A3 stillremain in inoperative position. The relation of parts shown in this figure are reproduced in Figure 16 which is a plan view of the lower belt. To clearly show the man-V ner yin which the stripping devices cooperate with the tobacco leaves the latterhave been illustrated diagrammatically. Y

stripping devices C3 will move into inoperative positions as soon as -their rollers have moved out of engagement with the actuating bars 20. At about the time this occur'sthe stripping devices A1 will have moved into a position such that they are ready to be free of their operating' bars 18 and the stripping devices A2 will be in position to engage their operating bars 19 and thereby move into op- As the belts continue their movements the erative position as the devices Av1 move into inoperative position. This relationship of parts is depicted inFigure 17. As the belts continue to move the devices A2 will assume a position such that they will be free of their operating bars 19 while the devices A3 will be in position to engage their operating bars 2O whereby the devices A3V are moved to operative Vposition at about the time or somewhat before the devices A2 move into operative positions. This relationship of parts is depicted in Figure 18.

From the foregoing it will thus be seen-that the devices of each Set are successively actuated whereby each device strips only a portion of the lamina from the stem but yet they cooperatewith each other in such manner that all of the 'lamina is efficientlyl and ,quickly 'l stripped from `the stem. Althoughea'ch of the stripping devices is shown as being provided with a spring 36 for insuring its return into an inoperative lposition after Vmoving from engagement with its actuating bar this spring may or may not be used `since the depending members 17 are so arranged as to constitute eounterbalancing means for insur-v ing movementof the devices into inoperative position. In other words the dep'endingmembers-17 are so associated with the pivoted members 11 of the stripping devices that when they m'ove out of engagement with their actuating bars the members 11 will automatically move into inoperative positions. Of, course, this would only be true with thev devices on the lower belt as the pivoted membelts must cooperate, as shown in Figure2,

bers o f the devices on the upper belt will yremaininrwhat amounts to operative positions but as corresponding members of both 1 fact, inoperative to strip the tobacco leaf. The devices on the upper belt will, however, assume inoperative positions as soon as they are brought around on the upper sectionof the belt and likewise the devices on the lower beltV will assume what would ordinarily be Aoperative positions when they are disposed to strip the lamina from the stem of the lea-f and this cooperation is only brought about bythe depending brackets 17 of the various stripping devices engaging their respective actuating bars.

The last or third device of each set of strippers on the upperbelt is provided with means for cutting or severing the stem of the leaf adjacent its tip end. In the present embodiment of the invention this means comprises a slidable member 37. f This cutter member is disposed between the stripping plate 14 and a wall 38 formed integrally with the pivoted member l1V and comprises a plate 39 havinga serrated edge similar to that of the'stripper'plate and a bar or rod 40 proj ecting beyond the side edgesof the plate. rlhe cutter memberisslidab associated with the i stripping device `by means of screws 4l which extend through elongated slots 42 formed in the cutter member and connect the spaced walls of the pivoted member ll. lf desired, ferrules 48 may be mounted upon the screws to maintain the spacedwalls in the required spaced'relation to permit of free sliding of thecutter member. Y

Disposed on each side of the upper belt in ,they path of travel of the end portions of the f bar of the cu ter member is means for aclelled as at 48 so that as the adjacent end of the angle member 45 is provided comprises an' vin-1. `tegraleiitension 49' having a bevelled surface;

. 5() adaptedto engage the adjacent end of the` cutter bar 40 to return-it to the position which tuating or moving' the cutter plate relatively to the stripping plate for severingthe stem,

This means comprises two'angularly shaped ing portion adapted'to engage the adjacent end of the rod 40. The inwardly projecting portion with which the angle member 44 is secured to the angle member by a set screw The inner face of the member 46 is bevbar 40 comes into engagement 'therewith the bar and cutter plate are moved transversely of "ll he in' the 'associated stripping device. wardly projecting portion with which the the stem.v

itoccupied before being actuated by the ber 46. By arranging the member 46 so that it may be secured to the angle member 44' in various positions of adjustment it will be perceived that the cutting apparatus may be operated so as to accommodate tobacco leaves of varying length;

The angle members 44 vand 45 may be supported in any suitable manner as by means of bracl-:ets 5l rigidly connected to bars 52 mounted upon'and secured to opposite sides of the Vmember 2l by bolts 34 heretofore referred to. i Furthermore, the vouter ends of Ythe barr 40 of the cutter `member may, if desired, be formed or provided with anti-friction rollers 53. 7

From the foregoing it will be perceived that I have provided simple and rugged means for stripping the lamina of the leaf by a plurality of successive stripping operations and that simple means is also provided'for stem. i l y 8. A tobacco leaf stemming machine having anvendless belt provided with a Vset'of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from the stem,` said'devices being'succe'ssively movable into .inoperative positionV whereby' each Yof them is adapted to strip a portionrofV the lamina from the stem.

4. A tobacco leaf stemming machine hav-'- ing an endless belt provided with a plurality of devices forstripping the lamina of the leaf from the stem, said devices beingmovable into and out of operative positions wherebyv they are adapted to strip successive portion of the lamina from the stem. f

5. A tobacco leaf stemming' machine hav-V ing an endless belt provided with a plurality of devices for stripping `the lamina of the leaf from the stem, each Vof said devices having a portion movable into and out of strippingfcooperation with the leaf whereby saidY devices are adapted to strip successive poi'- ions of the lamina from the stem. `6. A tobacco leaf stemming machine'having an endless belt provided with a plurality of devices for stripping the lamina'of the leaf from the stem, each of saiddevicesfcomprising a pivotally mounted serrated plate, andV cutting the stem of the leaf adjacent itstip lamina whereby each o f said devices is adapted to strip a portion of the lamina from the izo means for actuating said plates whereby the latter are adapted to successively cooperate with the leaf for stripping the lamina from Y ing an endless belt provided with a set of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said devices being arranged in tandem relation and each comprising a pivotally mounted stripping member', and means cooperable with the stripping members for successively rendering them inoperative whereby each is adapted to strip a portion of the lamina from its stem.

9. A tobacco leaf stemming` machine having an endless belt provided with a set of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said devices being arranged in tandem relation and each comprising a pivotally mounted stripping member provided with a projecting portion, and means disposed in the path of travel of the said projecting portions for cooperating` therewith whereby the stripping members are successively rendered inoperative s-o that each of them is adapted to strip a portion of the lamina from its stem.

10. A tobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a set of devices for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said devices being arranged in tandem relation on the outer side of said belt and each comprising a pivotally mounted stripping member, each of said members having a portion projecting on the opposite side of the belt, and means disposed in the path of travel of said projecting portions for cooperating therewith to render said stripping members inoperativewhereby each of them is adapted to strip a portion of the lamina from its stem.

11. A tobacco leaf stemming machine comprising a pair of endless belts arranged in superposed relation, each of said belts being` provided with a plurality of devices respectively cooperable with the corresponding devices of the other belt for stripping the lamina of the leaf from the stem, the cooperating devices of each belt being successively movable into inoperative position whereby each of them is adapted to strip a portion of the lamina from the stem.

12. A tobacco leaf stemming machine coinprising a pair of endless belts arranged inV superposed relation, each of said belts-being provided with a plurality of devices respectively cooperable with the corresponding de- 1 5 vices of the Votherloelt for stripping Athe lamina of theljleafl' from thestem, each; of said devices comprising a'pivotallyinoun'ted stripping. member, theL members of vthe devices on one of said belts being successively movable' into inoperativeposition whereby each of' saidmembers is' adapted'to strip'a portion of the lamina from its stem'.

13.- A tobacco leaf stemming machine comprising apair of endless belts arranged .inf superposed relation, each of said beltsbei'ng providedl with a set of devices, the `devices of eachV set being'arranged in tandem and thosej of one set being respectivelyfcooperable with the corresponding ones ofthe otherset for strippingthe lamina offthe leaf fronrthe stem, the cooperating devices of each Vset being successively movable into inoperative positionwhereby each. of said cooperating devices is adapted' to strip` a portion ofthe lamina from its stem.

14. A tobacco leaf stemming machine liav-` ing an endless beltprovidedwith a plurality of l sets of stripping pdevices,l eachl 4of.. saidlsets l being` cooperable with v"a dierent leaf "for stripping the lamina thereof from its stem and the devices of each set being' successively operable vto strip only a portion of the lamina of the leaf from its stemt,

15. Atobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a plurality of sets of devices for stripping the laminae of leaves from their stems, each of said sets being operable upon leaves different from those operated on by the other sets and the devices of each set being adapted to strip successive portions of the lamina of the cooperating leaf from its stem. w l

16.Y A tobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a device i for stripping the lamina of the leaf from the y stem, said device involving means for cutting the stem of the leaf adjacent its tip end.

17. A tobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a device for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said device comprising a serrated plate, and means movable relatively to the latter for cutting the stem of the leaf adjacent its v' tip end. v l

18. A tobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a device for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said device comprising two relativelyv no i lac l movable members, and means for actuating one of said members to cut the stem of the` leaf adjacent its tip end.

19. A tobacco leaf stemming machine hav-V Y movable members, oneof said members being fashioned with a lateral projection, and means engageable with said projection for c 2.5 llamina of the leaffrom its stem, said devices actuating the said member to cut the ofthe leaf adjacent its tip end.

f 20. A tobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a device for stripping the lamina of the leaf from its stem, said device being provided with a relatively movable member having an extension, and adjustable means disposed in the path of travel of-V said extension for displacing the stem latterto cut the stem of the leaf adjacent its tip-end. Y Y

` 2l, A ltobacco leaf stemming machine having an endless belt provided with a set of devices for stripping the laminaV of the leaf c from its stem, said devices vbeing arranged in tandem andl adapted tosuccessively cooperatevwith the leaf whereby each of them is adaptedto strip a portion of the lamina from its stem, the stripping device last to cooperate with theleafbeing provided with means for cutting the stem thereof adjacent its tip end. 22. Ajtobacco leaf stemming machine comprising `an endless revolvable carrier provided with a set of devices for stripping the beingconstructed and arranged to strip successivek lengthwise portions of the lamina from the stem. c v

" In'testimony whereof I affix my signature.

. .ROBERT L. WEISNER. 

